Matt Hopper made a remarkable breakthrough to top-flight rugby at the age of 26 when he moved from the Cornish Pirates to Harlequins in the summer of 2011.

An injury to regular outside centre George Lowe opened the door for Hopper and he took full advantage by starring for the Quins in hte Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup. In January 2012 he was called up to England's Saxons squad for their match against the Irish Wolfhounds.